Two Jailed for Attempting to Burglarize Philipsburg Hospital

RUSH TOWNSHIP – Two people have been charged for attempting to burglarize the Philipsburg Hospital, which is permanently closed, at 5:55 a.m. Saturday, on Lochlomond Road in Rush Township, reported the Philipsburg-based state police.

State police identified the accused as Paul Edward Rider, 31, of Madisonburg and Kristal Mina Parker, 30, of Bellefonte. Both were charged with attempted burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief. They were arraigned with bail being set at $5,000, which neither was able to post.

According to the police report, security heard a window break at the hospital and contacted state police, which responded to the scene. State police tracked Parker through the snow to a nearby vehicle. Shortly after they took Parker into custody and located Rider at a nearby convenience store. Rider had a backpack.

State police executed a search warrant for the backpack and the vehicle. The backpack was full of tools, which are commonly used to steal copper. State police found multiple items of drug paraphernalia and pieces of cut copper wire and pipes inside the vehicle. In addition, state police also found 12 old 50 cent pieces, which were minted between 1935 and 1964.

Both Rider and Parker are incarcerated at the Centre County Prison. Their preliminary hearings have been scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Centre County Courthouse.